Strathcona County rejects Treaty 6 statement at council meetings

'This could have been a great first step'

Treaty 6 lands span much of central Alberta, including Strathcona County, where council has rejected a plan to have the traditional territory acknowledged during public meetings. (The Confederacy of Treaty 6)

Wallis Snowdon

Wallis Snowdon is a digital journalist with CBC Edmonton. She has nearly a decade of experience reporting behind her. Originally from New Brunswick, her journalism career has taken her from Nova Scotia to Fort McMurray. Share your stories with Wallis at wallis.snowdon@cbc.ca

Strathcona County council has rejected a proposal to begin every meeting by acknowledging the county's presence on traditional Treaty 6 territory.

During a Feb. 7 meeting, Coun. Dave Anderson put the idea forward as a motion, which was defeated 5-4.

"It was a little surprising. I felt that it was really important, " Anderson said in an interview Friday with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"There has been a push from our federal and provincial governments to acknowledge treaty lands before each meeting as acknowledgement of First Nations people.

"Just based on some of the conversation that happened around the table, certain individuals didn't have enough information."

Anderson, who grew up near a reserve and spent time as a crisis worker in reserve communities such as Maskwacis, said a few words about the region's Indigenous communities would mean a lot.

"I really got a strong base in First Nations community, just a beautiful people. And I just felt that in Strathcona County we had that opportunity to acknowledge those first peoples in Canada and try to build on what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has tried to promote."

'I fail to see how this will build community'

Many council meetings across Alberta start with similar statements. Edmonton adopted the practice two years ago, and Anderson was inspired to follow suit.

But some of his fellow councillors failed to see what purpose the practice would serve.

During the meeting, Coun. Paul Smith suggested that the acknowledgement would put members of the public on unequal footing in council chambers.

"We're here to build community," Smith said. "You need to explain to me why this acknowledgement will help each and every person to be treated equally, regardless of ethnic background, education, financial situation, religion or physical capabilities.

County Mayor Roxanne Carr said council has already made progress in recognizing the county's diverse heritage. She suggested that councillors need more information on the history of the region before moving forward.

"We are celebrating our total heritage, and I'm very proud of what this council has done," Carr said.

"I'd like a real picture of this and a way to do our due diligence in reconciliation in this region … but I think it can be done in a slightly different way."

'To me, this feels like lip service, quite literally'

Though she voted in favour of the motion, Coun. Carla Howatt said she was concerned that the practice would accomplish very little in terms of reconciliation.

"To me, this feels like lip service, quite literally," Howatt said."I don't think that we've done anything else when it comes to involving ourselves with the Truth and Reconciliation process that happened.